Washington Notice Requirements to Terminate a Month-to-Month Tenancy

Find out Washington rules for how much notice you (and your landlord) must give each other to end a month-to-month tenancy.

It is easy for landlords and tenants to end a month-to-month
tenancy in Washington.

Notice Requirements for Washington Landlords

In most situations your landlord does not need to give you a
reason (although acting on discriminatory or retaliatory motives is illegal). A
landlord can simply give you a written notice to move, allowing you 20 days as required
by Washington law and specifying the date on which your tenancy will end.

Your landlord may legally provide less notice if you have not paid rent,
if you have violated other terms of your rental agreement (for example,
bringing in an unauthorized tenant), or if you have violated basic
responsibilities imposed by law (such as by dealing drugs on the rental
property).

Notice Requirements for Washington Tenants

It is equally easy for tenants in Washington to get out of a
month-to-month rental agreement. You
must provide the same amount of notice (20 days) as the landlord. Be sure to check your rental agreement which
may require that your notice to end the tenancy be given on the first of the
month or on another specific date.

In some situations, you may be able to move out with less
(or no) notice—for example, if your landlord seriously violates the rental
agreement or fails to fulfill legal responsibilities affecting your health or
safety.

Washington State Law and Resources on Terminating a Month-to-Month Tenancy

Check Washington state law (Wash. Rev. Code Ann. §§ 59.18.200,
59.18.140) for the exact rules and procedures for how landlords must prepare
and serve termination notices and for any special rules regarding how tenants
must provide notice. See the Laws and Legal Research section of Nolo
for advice on finding and reading statutes and court decisions.